and address. He looked at her and answered, giving her truthful information because he figured it would be easy enough for authorities to figure out who he was by pulling surveillance video.
“Opening this account does require that I see some form of picture ID,” Ida said.
About that time Keira walked out of the manager’s office, a wide smile on her face and the canvas pouch in her hand. The pouch was ridiculously small to be able to hold so much cash. He knew each bundle of hundred-dollar bills equaled five thousand dollars and was only about half an inch thick. The bag was only about five or six inches wide. Still, one would expect a hundred thousand dollars to be bigger.
She shook hands with the manager and walked out of the bank.
Finn looked at Ida and adopted a chagrined expression while he patted his pockets. “I don’t believe this.” He gave a low chuckle and shrugged his shoulders. “I must have left my wallet at home.” He flipped his wrist to check his watch and said, “I won’t be able to return before you close, so would you just delete that? I’ll come back another time.”
Her sigh came out on a gust of aggravation. “Of course, Mr. Evnissyen. Come back any time.”
Finn smiled and left the bank. Keira was waiting for him by her car.
“I’d almost forgotten how much fun this is,” she said. Her eyes danced with blue sparks of excitement. “I mean, the sleight of hand at jewelry stores is one thing, but this, really laying it on and grifting money out of people, it’s something else entirely.” She laughed and looped her arm through his, hugging it to her side.
Her enthusiasm had totally chased away the curmudgeon mode she’d been in before. While he liked to see her happy, her reaction was just what he’d been afraid of. Grifting, for her, was like a drug—one job was too many, and a dozen wasn’t enough. He needed to see what kind of space her head was in, see if maybe he could talk some sense into her. Though she’d been right earlier when she’d said there was no walking away. If he was successful in encouraging her to leave the group, he’d damned well make sure it was safe for her to do so.
“Hey!” She leaned against her car and stroked a finger down his chest. “Why don’t we go to my place and celebrate?”
This was the Keira he was used to, a woman confident in her appeal and not afraid to show her passion. “Sure,” he said. If he was at her place, he’d have her alone and they could have a private chat. Among other things. He nodded toward the money bag she held. “Aren’t we supposed to get that to Stefan?”
“And we will.” She went up on tiptoes and pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth. “Just not right away.”
He put his arms around her waist and tugged her closer. “What kind of celebration did you have in mind?”
She winked at him. “You’ll find out when you get there, boyo.” She planted her mouth on his, giving him a kiss that stole his breath and started a fire burning low in his belly. When she drew away, both of them breathed heavily. She smiled and whispered, “Don’t take too long.” She hopped into her car and drove away, still with that huge smile on her face.
Finn strode to his bike and pulled out into traffic. He’d thought perhaps she’d been distancing herself from him, but maybe he’d been wrong.
Of course, he didn’t know exactly how she planned to celebrate her achievement. It was hard to tell with her. She might want to break out cake and ice cream. Maybe some champagne.
In which case his hopes would be dashed and he’d be wrong again.
Chapter Fifteen
Keira went into her house and waited, hand on doorknob, until Finn sauntered past her. Then she closed and locked the door. Taking his hand, she led him back to her bedroom. She set the money bag on the dresser by the door and stared at him.
By all that was holy, she felt like she was on fire. Her blood sang, her skin tingled, her thoughts scattered except for one.
She wanted this man like she’d wanted no other.
With a small smile, she turned on a lamp on the table in the corner of the room. Soft light brightened the room. It was enough to be able to see clearly, yet